Ravens GM DeCosta Denies Deebo Samuel Trade Rumors with Dr. Seuss Reference

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has vehemently refuted recent rumors suggesting the team inquired about trading for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, using a playful Dr. Seuss reference to dismiss the speculation.

Speaking at an event introducing newly acquired running back Derrick Henry, DeCosta compared the trade reports to a fictional tale from Dr. Seuss, specifically mentioning ‘The Lorax’ during the press conference.

The Ravens, although potentially in the market for a wide receiver, have denied any interest in pursuing the 28-year-old Samuel from the 49ers, debunking the notion of an impending trade deal.

Following DeCosta’s comments, Jason La Canfora, an NFL insider, fired back, hinting at DeCosta’s past record of misinformation and joking about starting a segment reading texts from the Ravens GM.

The Ravens’ pursuit for a wideout comes after parting ways with Odell Beckham Jr., seeking to bolster their receiving options despite having talents like Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews on the roster.

However, the 49ers face significant salary cap challenges, ranked among the bottom three teams in effective cap space in the league, leading to the departure of players like Arik Armstead in a bid to alleviate financial constraints.

Dealing Deebo Samuel would entail a considerable dead cap hit for the 49ers, making a trade scenario less probable before the upcoming season.

Samuel’s outstanding 2021 season, where he logged 1,770 total yards and 14 touchdowns, showcased his versatility and impact, although injuries have hindered his consistency in subsequent seasons.

As it stands, Samuel remains a key figure for the 49ers’ offense, with a potential trade to the Ravens appearing increasingly unlikely amid the salary cap implications for both teams.